Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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^1 * ' 'slctr/ m ca ^_ -TMS PBV1I "MY" LADY OF T? mmmmmmmmmmmJ cx3Pr^73JG^zr_ jsy 2 (Coutinucd from last weok) They would have felt le.ss confident ] "Not lately; there was n Tim.Donovan who hart a pull In the subway excavation?he was a Tammany mnn ?but he dlert, and was never married. What's the girl look like?" "Rather slender, with t brown hair, sorter coppery In the sun, and gray ayes that grow dark when she's Interested. About twenty-three or four, 1 should say." i "Did you get her full name?" "Sure; It's on the register?Stella Donovan." Enrlght lowered his feet to the floor, puzzled look on his face, his teeth clinched on his cigar. "Hold on a bit till I think," he muttered. "That sounds mighty familiar ?Stella Donovan! By the Lord, I've heard that name before somewhere; ah, I have It?she's on the New York fltnr T?17? noon Mr - articles In the Sunday edition. I'll bet she's the girl." "A New York newspaperwoman; well, what do you suppose she Is doing out here? After us?" Enrlght had a grfp on himself again and slowly relit his cigar, leaning back, and staring out the window. Tils mind gripped the situation coldly.. "Well, we'd best be careful," he snld slowly. "Probably It's ^merely a coincidence, but I don't like her lying to Beaton. That don't look Just right. We'll lay quiet and try the young lady out. Beaton here can give her an InI The Best Family Ren I Because |it nor remedies have ce Is Li i-? I Chesterfield ] 9 D. H. DOUGLASS, President U W. J. DOUGLASS, Vice- Pres. H ALSO P1RE, ACCIDENT, K INSU W> Buy mmd Sell Rti In the future could they have over-1 heard a conversation being carried on ; In a room of the Ttmmons house. II ; was Miss La Rue's apartment, pos- j, sensing two windows, but furnished in < a style so primitive as to cnuse thai ( fastidious young lady to hurst lntc laughter when she flrst entered and gazed about. Both her companion; I followed her, laden with luggage, and i Beaten, sensing Instantly what had : thus affected her humor, dropped hi; i bag on the floor. "It's the best there is here," he pro 1 tested. "Timmons has held it for yot three dzy*. If you feel like klckinj about this room.jrou ought to see som< 1 of the others?mine, for instance, 01 tne one TImmons put that other worn* an to." "Oh, yes," she said, finding a seat and stating at him. "That reminds me. Did you say there was a girl here from New York? Sit down, Mr. Enright, and let's talk. How's the door, Ned?" He opened It and glanced out into the hall, throwing the bolt as he cameback. "All right, Celeste, but I wouldn't talk quite so loud; the partitions are not very tight." "No objections to a cigarette, I supt pose," and she produced a case. "Thanks; now I feel better?certainly, light up. Well, Ned, the flrst thing I want to know Is, who Is this other New York skirt, and how did she happen to blow In here Just nt this time?" Beaton completed the lighting of his cigar, flinging the match carelessly out of the window. "Oh, she's all right," he said easily. "Just an Innocent kid writer for Scribbler's who's trying to make good writing about the beautiful scenery around here. Her name Is Donovan. Her father's a big contractor and has money to burn." "Did you ever hear the boat of that, Enrlght? Neddy Is about to feather his nest. Well, go on." "Thnt's about all, I guess, only she ain't nothln' you need be afraid of." "Sure not, with a watch-dog like you on guard. But If you ask me. I don't Jlke the Idea of her happening In here : Just at this time. This Is no place for an Innocent child." and ,she looked about, her lip curling. "Lord. I should aay not. Do you happen to remember any New York contractor by that name, Mr. Enrlght?" The rotund lawyer, his feet elevated , on the window-sill, a cigar between his Hps, shook his head In emphatic dissent. %?? _ iNGEfk J*E i-l im^fH 11/ALJAlHi PJORtSU WBt r- or Wm9 OWN ?** fE. NORTH ' ETC. p* B4ACC*id-? .^W/2/oay ^ traduction to Miss La Rue, and the rest Is easy." *** * Westcott's purpose in visiting the La Uosltn mine was a rather vngue one. Ills thought had naturally associated Rill Lacy with whatever form of deviltry had brought Beaton to the neighborhood of Haskell, and he felt convinced firmly that this special brand of deviltry had some direct connection with the disappearance of Frederick Cavendish. Just what the connection between these people might prove to be was still a matter of doubt, but as Miss Donovan war seeking this Information at the hotel, all that remained for him to do nt present was an investigation of Lacy. The careful review Of all Miss Donovan had told him only served to Incrense his confidence that his old partner still lived. No other conception seemed possible, or would account for the. presence of Ned Ronton In Haskell, or the hurried call for Miss La Rue. Yet It was equally evident this was not caused by any miscarriage of their original plans. Apparently every detail of the crime, which meant the winning of Frederick CnvemUcli'c had been thus far successfully carried out. The money was already practically In their possession, and not the slightest suspicion had been aroused. It had been a masterpiece of criminal Ingenuity, so boldly carried out as to avoid danger of discovery. Every step had been taken exactly In accord with the original outlines, except possibly that they had been hurried by Cavendish's sudden determination to return West, and his will disinheriting John. These had eompelled earlier action, yet no radical change in plans, as the machinery was already prepared and In position. Luck had been with the conspirators when Frederick cabled In Enrtght to draw up the will. Enrlght! Beyond doubt his were the brains dominating the affair. The whole foul thing lay before Westcott's imagination In Its diabolical Ingenuity ?Enright's legal mind had left no locnJiole. Tie Intended to play the game absolutely safe, so far, yt least, as he was personally concerned. The money was to go legally to John without the shadow of a suspicion resting upon it; and then?well, lie knew how to do the rest; already he had a firm grip on a large portion. Yes, a' this was reasonably clear; what remained obscure was tfee fate of Frederick Cavendish. West cot t came back from his musings to this one important qucf.t!on. The answer puzzled him. It the man was dead why should Beaton remain at ilnskcll and insist on Miss Ln lines joining him? And If the man was alive and concealed somewhere In the neighborhood, what was their present object? Had they decided they were risking too much in permitting him to live? Had something occurred to make them feel It safer to have him out of the way permanently? What connection did Bill Lacy have with the gang? Westeott rose to his feet and began following the trail up the canon. He was not serving Cavendish nor Miss Donovan by sitting there. He walked rupldly, but the sun was nearly down by the time he reached the mouth of his own drift. While waiting word from the East which would enable him to develop the claim, Westeott had thought It best to discontinue work, and hide, as best he could, from others the fact that he had again discovered the lost lead of rich ore. To that end. after taking out enough for ffts immediate requirements In the form of nuggets gathered from a single pocket, which he hud luter negotiated quietly at a town down the railroad, he had blocked up the new tunnel and discontinued operations. He had fondly believed his se cret secure, until oacys cureless nvorus hnd aroused suspicion that the latter might have seen his telegrams to Cavendish. Ills only assistant, u Mexican, who had been with him for some time, ~ ~~j I lecly J ! I ks tvhon ail other I . r i aseii 10 worK i ife Insurance j i Loan 8Ins. Co. C. C. DOUGLASS, Sec'y & Mgr. GEO. W. EDDINS, Treasurer. IEALTH. HAIL. LIVE HTnr.If v RANGE J Eitato?Money Loaned | remained on guard at the bnnkhouse and, so tar as he knew, no, serious effort had been made to explore the drift by any of Laey's satellites. Now. as he came up the darkening gulch and crunched his way across the roek pile before the tunnel entrance, he saw the cheerful blaze of a fire in the Mexican's quarters and stopped to question hlin. "Senor?you I" "Yes, Jose," and Westcott dropped on a benOh. "Anything wrong? You seem nervous." "No, senor. I expected you not tonight ; there was a man there by the big tree at sunset." "One of the La Roslta gang likely. Don't fight them, Jose. Let them poke around inside If they want to; they won't find anything but rock. Got a bite there for me?" "Si, senor, aplenty." "All right, then; I'm hungry and have a bit of work ahead. Put It on the table here and sit d.own yourself, Jose." i The Mexican did as ordered, placing across at the other between each mouthful of food, as though not exactly at euse. Westcott ate heurtlly, without pausing to talk. "You hear yet Senor Cavendish?" Jose asked at last. "No." Westcott hesitated an Instunt, but decided not to explain further. "He must be away, I think." "What you do If you no hear at all?" "We'll go on with the digging ourselves, Jose. It'll pay wages until I can interest capital somewhere to come In on shares." Westcott stared into the fireplace; then the gravity of his face relaxed into a smile. "Things are growing Interesting. Jose," he sold cheerfully. "If I only knew just which way the cat was about to jump I'd be somewhat happier. There seemed to be more light than usual across the gulch as I camo up?wbut's going on?" "They huve put on more men, senor ?a night shift. Last night I went In our drift clear to the end, and put mj ear to the rock. It was fur away, but I hear." "No, no, Jose; that's Impossible. Why, their tunnel is over a hundred | ^ Sllnlllli i!? ; The Bullet Whizzed Past Westcott's Head. yards away; not even the sound of , dynamite would penetrate that dls- 1 | tance through solid rock. You heard. your heart beat." "No senor, and Joso was upon his feet gesticulating. "It was the pick? . i strike, strike, strike; then stop an' ! begin strike, strike, strike again. 1 hear, * know.' "Then they must be running a lateral hoping to cut across our vein ttoni. . re within their lines." "Ami will tbul give them the right enor*" Westoott sat, ills head resting or. or^ hand, staring thoughtfully Into the dying lire. Here was a threatening combination of forces. "I am not sure, Jose," lie answered, slowly. "The mining law is full of quirks, although, of course, the first discoverer of a lead is entitled to follow it?it's his. The trouble here is, ! The Fineit Fresh Meat# | The Bait Fancy Groceries | High Grade Canned Good* The Best of Everything for the Table tnnt instead of giving notice of discovery, I have kept It a secret, and even blocked up the tunnel. If the La Rositn gang push their drift in, and strike that same vein, they will claim original discovery, and I reckon they'd make It stick. My letters and telegrams east to Cavendish went wrong, and the news has come hack here to those fellows. They know Just what we've struck and how our tunnel runs; I was fool enough to describe it all to 1 Cavendish and send him a map of the j vein. Now they are driving their tunnel to get In ahead of us." lie picked up the lamp and turned At the same instant a sudden red glare flamed In the black of the oper window, accompanied by a sharp re port. The bullet whizzed past Wewtcott's head so clffsely as to sear the | flesh, crashed Into the lamp in his hand, extinguishing it, then srnv k something beyond. Wostoott dropped to the floor, below the radius of dim j light thrown by the few embers left in tlie fireplace, and revolver In hand sought to distinguish ti e outlines <>f ! the window frame. Fnllln" In this, ho : crept noiselessly across (ho lloor, unlatched the closed door, and em err. I i Into the open air. ] Cautiously he circled the hlnck ; cahln, evtrv nerve taut for strugule. ' every .'-enso alert. He found nolhin;: to reward his search?whoever the coward had been, he had disappeared nmo: i: the rocks, vanishing completely In the hiach night. 'Che follow had not I t A. P. DAVK M VRKET t ? ?? ? even waited to learn the effect of his shot. I* was not until he came hack to tho open door that the miner thought C\ his companion. \VTTat had become of Jose? Couljl It l?e that the Mexican was hit? He entered, shrinking from the tusk, yet resolute to learn the truth. A black, shapeless figure, scarcely discernible us a man, lay huddled beneath the table. Westcott bent over It, feeling for the heart and turning face upward. There was 110 visible mark of tho hniioi interior. There were three men in the room, and Westeott drew a quick breath of surprise as he recognized the two faces fronting him?Bill Lacy at the desk, a pipe in his mouth, ids feet elevated on a convenient chair, and Benson, leaning hack against the wall, apparently half asleep with ills eyes closed. The third man was facing Lacy, but concealed by the stove; he seemed to he .doing the talking, and held a paper in his hand resembling a map. Suddenly he rose to his feet und bent over the edge of the desk, and Westeott knew him?Enrlght! Hesperat >Iy determined to iearf what v;* being said, the ndner thru if the heavy blade of his jackknlfo be* neath the ill-fitting window suih ahi succeeded In noiselessly lifting It a seart linlf inch, lie bent lower, the speaker's voice clearly audible through the narrow opening. "There was a dead man back East, wasn't there?" "What difference does that make?" "None, particularly, except to naturally Increase the worth of my services. I'm not squeamish about stiffs, hut I like to know what I am doing. What are you holding on to this other fellow for?" Enrlght walked nervously aero; 3 the room, chewing at his cigar, only to come hack and tace his questioner, "Well. I suppose I might as well tell you." lu* said almost savagely. "You're In too deep already to wiggle out. We made rather n mess of It in New York, and oidy a hit of luck helped us through. We had the plans ready for three months, hut nothing occurred to give us a chance. Then all at once Cavendish got his first telegram from Westeott and decided to pull out, not telling anyone where he was going. He employed tro to draw the will, and told me he planned to leave the city for some time. As soon as I could I told the others over the phone, and we got busy." I.ney stared incredulous. "And thete hasn't been no killln'?'' Enrlght shook his head. "Not by any of us." "Then how about that dead man In New York?the one that was buried for Cavendish? Oh, I read about that. Benton showed it to me in the paper." "That's the whole trouble," Knrlght answered gravely. "I do not know who he was. or how he came there. I All I know Is.^he was not Frederick ; Cavendish, llut his being found there I dead in Cavendish's apartments, and I l/li. i iHo/l i.tili! ?ic In nn owfiil hfllo If the regt of this affair should ever become known. r>o yon sec? The charge would he murder, and how are we Koinp to hold the real Cavendish ullve, and not have It come out?" "The other one?the?stiff?wasn't Cavendish?" To p?event a cold take 666. 8 GASOLINE SYSTEMS" Oil Tanks aud Pumps, Air Compressors, Computing Scales Floor Scales, Show Cases, Ac(count Registers, Rebuilt Cash Registers, Safes, Store Fixtures. HAMILTON SALES CO. 3g the body was limp, the face ghastly in the grotesque dance of the flames. The assassin hud not wasted his shot?.lose Sulvnrl would never see Mexico again. Wcstcott straightened the body out, crossing the dead hands, and covered the face with a blanket stripped from a bunk. The brief burst of flame died down, leaving the room in semi-darkness. The miner was conscious only of a feeling of dull rage, a desire for revenge. The shot had been clearly intended for himself. The killing of Jose bad been a mere accident. In all probability the murderer had crept away believing he had succeeded in his purpose. If he had lingered long enough to see anyone emerge from the hut, he would naturally imagine the survivor to be the Mexican. Good! This very confidence would tend to throw the fellow off his guard; he would have no fear of Jose. He reached beneath the blanket add drew forth the dead Mexican's revolver, slipped the weapon into his own belt, opened the door and went oui, closing it tightly behind him. Jose could lie there until morning. While the darkness lasted he had work to do. His purpose settled, there was no hesitancy In his movements. His was the code of the West; bis methods those of the desert and the innnnhiins code nnd method of a fighting tnnn. A dim trail, rock strewn, led to the spring, where It connected with an ore rond extending down the valley to HaskeTl. Another trail across the spur shortened the distance to the La ltos-, ita shafthouse. But Westcott chose to follow none of these, lest he run into s<?n? ambuscade. Slowly nnd silently, cautious to dislodge no rolling stone, and keeping well concealed anions lie rocks, he finally descended to the level of the shaft, feeling confident that his presence was not discovered. lie had no clearly defined plan, only a desire to learn exactly what was being done. The office he.vond the shaft was lighted, although the faint gleam was only dimly revealed along the edge of lowered curtains concealing the interior. However, this evidence that some one was within served to attract Wc-tcott's attention and lie crept around, under the shadow of the dump, and approached the farther corner. He could perceive now two men op tin- hoisting platform and hear the grow I of tliolr voices, hut without being ahie to distinguish speech. Revolver in hand, l;e made the round of the building to assure himself that no guard had been posted there, then cliose the window furl lit ?st away from the shaft and endeavored to look in. The heavy green curtain extended to the sill, hut was slit in one corner. With his eye close to this slight opening he gained a partial glimpse of the X ^ "Certainly not; yon know where Cavendish Is." "I never snw Fred Cavendish: I wouldn't know him from Adam's o(Tox. I've pot the fellow Beaton turned over to me." "Well, ho's the man; the dead one i Isn't." "How do you know?" | "Because Frederick Cavendish | bought and signed a round-trip ticket ! to Los Angeles, nnd boarded the mid- j i r ight train. My man reported tlmt to: i me, and Benton Just had time to catch the same train before It pulled out i Isn't that tnie. Ned?" "Yes, It Is, nnd I never left him." 1 I 1 ...... ...... nioioii i. i?iv,y niuuuurui.v I "<11(1 you see (he dead one?" I "Yes. I kept away from the inquest, but attended the funeral to get i a glance at hjs face. It seemed too strange to be true.- The fellow wasn't Cavendish; IV1 swear to that, hut he did look enough like him to fool nnvbody who had no suspicions aroused. Dammit, it's spooky, the very thoughi of it." "Rut you saw a difference?" "Rerause T looked for it; I neve: would have otherwise. Rut anyway.1 I was already convinced that he w?c-1 not the man. T am not sure what I should have thought if I had met him, alive upon the street." I.aey appeared moused, crossing thv*j , room, and expectorating iuto the open ! stove. "You fellows moke me laugh," la-' said grlnily. "I am hardly idiot: enough to he taken in by that sort; of old wives* tale. However, if thai i is your story, stick to it?hut if .vow! were to ever tell it in court, it xvould . ! take ft jury about five minutes to bring! in their verdict. Let's pet to husi i ! ness. You want mo to help out in a j s*rt of accident, T presume?a fab I , over a cliff, or the premature discharge j of blasting powder; these things ui> i quite common out here. And to pr< ' i vent any stir at this end. before you j I fellows pet bold of the stuff, you war}! ; me to call off my working gang ami j let Westcott alone. Come, now, speak, up." j "Yes," acknowledged Enright. ''1! I don't care so much for Westcott. but! I want things kept quiet." Lacy whistled a few bars, his hands. ! thrust deep into his trouser pockets , I Then, after a few minutes' cogitation, he resir ed: "AH right then; we'll take it as it lies. The only question unsettled. Lis right, is?what is all this wortli tc j me?" CHAPTER VI!. Mica La Rue Pays a Cr!t. Some slight noise caused \\V>sto | I to straighten up and turn ;>;? '.I. "y i around. ). bad I in rely time i?. " I:. i up one arm in the warding < ' f a : blow. The next instant was ? - of 1 mid, desperate struggle, in v.' Vt he ' realized only Hint tie dare not relax ! Ills grip on the wrist of his unknown i antagonist. It was a fierce, intense ' grapple, every muscle strained to the ! utmost, silent except for the stamping of feet, deadly in purpose. Twice Westcott drove his elenche 1 right into the shadowed face, smash-' ing it the last time so hard the man's ^ grip relaxed, and lie went staggering : i hack. With a leap forward, the hat- ! tie fury on hini, Westcott closed he- j fore the other could regain position. I Again the clenched fist struck and the ; . fellow went down in the darkness, ! whirling backward to the eartli?and lay (here, motionless. A.- .stunt, panting, breathless,! j scarcely yet comprehending what hn< I j occurred, the victor stared at tht ! nuonieu figure, his arm drawn Kick, j Then lie became aware of excitement j within, the sound of voices, the tramp of feet on the floor, the sudden opening of a door. A gleam of light shot out, revealing the figures of men. With one spring he was across the shapeless form on the ground, and hail vanished into the darkness be JTUUUi , Lucy was first to reach tho unconscious body, stumbling over It in tbe black shadow, as he rushed forward, revolver in hand. He cursed, rising to his knees, and staring about in tbe silent darkness. "There's a man lying here?dead, likely. Bring a light. No, the fellow is olive. Dammit, It's Moore. Here you?what happened?" The fellow groaned, opened his eyes, and looked about dazedly. "There?there was a fellow at that window there. I?I saw him from be if *am t ,mm <wm ^ . mk. Aaain the Clenched Fist Struck. low* and crept up behind but he turned around .lust as 1 struck." "He was at that window, you say?" "Yes; kneelln' down fike he was lookln' Into the room. Oh, Lord!" Lacy crunched over to the side of the shack, and bent down to get a better view. Ills fingers came In contact with the knife whlgh upheld the , sash, and he plucked It ont, holding 14 j qptato the beam of light passing 1 He stared nt the curiously carve< handle Intently. That's Jim Westcott's Jack-knife He's been listening to all vwe said Now we are up against It." "What's thnt?" The question cnnu from Knrlght, still nt the corner ol the house, unable to tell what hu< happened. "Westoptt has heen here listening t< our talk. He pried up the window with this knife, so he eouhl hear Moore caught him. nnd got knocked out." "He-?he heard our talk In?Ir th"re." repeated the dazed lawyer, his lips trembling. "And?has got away' tJood heavens! num. where has h< gone? After the sheriff?" Laoy stared at him through tin darkness, and Imrst into a roar of un restrained laughter. "Who? Jim Westeott? The shor IfT? Well, hardly at this stage of th< game. That's your way down East, n< doubt, hut out in this country tin style is different. No, sir; Westeot isn't after any sheriff. In the firs place he hasn't any evidence. Ht knows a thing or two. but he can'l prove it; and if we move faster that he does we'll block ids game?see?" "What do you mean?" Lacy leaned forward, and hissed hi! answer into Enrlght's ear. "Put Cavendish where lie can't go at him. There's no other chance. T .Tim Westeott ever finds that fellov alive our goose Is conked. And we'v< got the advantage?we know when the man Is." "And Westeott doesn't?" "Exactly, hut he will know. Ifo'l eotiib these hills until he finds tin trail?that's .lini Westeott. Come 01 hack Inside, both of you, and I'll tel you my plan." The door closed behind them, shut ting out the yellow glow, and lcavii?( the hillside black and lonely. ? * ? Miss Donovan did not go down t? supper. Ronton waited some tlrco it the office, his eyes on the stairs, hu she failed to appear, and he lackei the necessary ciuiniRO to seek her ii her own room. Thou Knright cnlloc hlni and compelled his attendance The absence of the girl was not cnnscc from any lack of appetite, as she sub si disced the Chinaman fo smuggle he a supply of food l?y way of the hael stairs, which she ate with dechlec relish, hut she had no desire 1o shov any anxiety regarding a meeting witl the newcomers. Iler newspaper experience had givei her some knowledire of human natun and slie felt convinced that her tasl of extracting information would la greatly simplified if these peoph sought her company first. Slie wai at the window when some one tappet at the dc.r.r. She arose to fior feet and tr a siep or two forward, hei heart beating swifter. "Come ia." Th<? door opened, and the light from the windows revealed Miss La Hue, rather tastefully attired In green silk, her blond hair fluffed artfully, and a dainty patch of hlnck court-plaster adorning one cheek. "Pardon me, please," the \oice somewhat high-pitched, "hut they told mo downstairs you were from New York." "Yes. that Is my home; won't you eome In?" "Sure I will. Why'I was so lone some in this hole I simply couldn't stand It any longer. I know youi name; It's Stella Donovan?well, mine is Celeste La Ttue." "A very prettv name; rather unusual. Are you French?" rpLo I *- J - mr inner inuKiira, <Tossin.tr nor reel carelessly, and extracting a cigarette case from a handbag. "French? Well, T guess not. My dad's name was Copley, and T annexed this other when L went on the stage. Tt tickles the Johnnies, and sounds better than Sadie Caple.v. You liked it yourself." "It Is better adapted to that pur pose?yon are an actress then?" "\%ell, nobody ever said so. I car dance and sing a bit. and know how to wear clothes. Tell me, when were you in New York?" "About a month ago." "Well, didn't you see the Revue?" i "The last one? Certainly." "That's where T shone?second girl on the right In the chorus, and I was In the eccentric dance with Jot ; Stearns; some hit?what?" "Yes, I remember now; they caller you the Red Fairy?because of youi ruby ring. What in the world evei brought you out here?" Ceteste laughed, a cioud of smokt curling gracefully above her blondt linJr. "Some Joke, isn't it? Well, It's nt engagement at the Cood Luck danct half yonder, you can bet on that. Tin fact is I've quit the business, and an going to take a flyer in mining?" "Mining? That sounds like money In these days. They tell me there if no placer-mining any longer, and thai it requires a fortune to develop. 1 v* * r 11 M 111 i }i moms jriri?" "Oil. pshaw!" and Miss La Ru( leaned forward. :i bright glow on onoi chock. "There arc more ways of mak Inn money In New ^ ork than drawing a salary. I've caught 011 to a fev things in the last five years. Ii pay: hotter to ho Celeste La Kno than I ever did to ho Sadie Capley. Do yot Ret mo?" Miss Donovan nodded. Ilor acquaint ance with New York fast life supplies all necessary details, and it wa^quiti evident this girl had no sense o shame. Instead she was rather prom of the success she had achieved. "I Imagine you are right," she ad mitted pleasantly. "So you found i hacker? A mining man?" "Not on your life. None of you wild west for me. As soon as sour business is straightened out here, It' back to Broadway." "Who is it?" ventured the other can , tlously. "Mr. Beaton?" "Ned Beaton!" Miss La Hue's vole ! rose to a shriek. "Oh, Lord! I shout say not! Why that fellow never ha fifty dollars of his own at one time 1 his life, lie's only a tin-horn sport." "Then It Is the other?" | "Sure; he's the real thing. Not mue to look at, maybe, hut he fairly oose the long green. He's a lawyer." "Oh, indeed," and Miss Donovan' eyes darkened. She was intereste< now feeling herself on the verge c i discovery. "From New York?" i! I i "There's More Ways of Making Money ! in New York Than Drawing a Salary." Ho knew you ns soon as Beaton mentloned your nnme; he's Patrick Enright of Enrlght and Dougherty." Miss Donovan's fingers gripped hard on the footboard of the bed, Uer teeth clinched to keep back a sudden exclamation of surprise. This was more than site bad bargained for, yet the* oilier woman, coolly watching. In spite 1 of lier apparent flippancy, observed no change in the girl's manner. Apparently the disclosure meant little. "Enrlght, you say? No, I think not. I lie claimed to know me? That is afro !.<? ? U'lw, tKlnlr T .??? >?? vrti < (.> v? i i <i\i uiU IIC i UiillV A nttJJ ( Miss Ln Rue lilt her lip. She had found 1 r mat eh evidently, but would N Btr'ke harder. "A reporter ou the Star. Naturally we couldn't 1 elp wondering what yotl j was doing out here. You are In the j newspaper business, aren't you?" | "Yes," realizing further eoncenlment i was useless, "but on my vacation. I thought I explained all that to Mr. Beai ton. I am not exactly a reporter. I do feature-stuff." "Whatever that Is." "Human-Interest stories; anything unusual; strange happenings in every1 day life, you know." "Murders, and?and robberies." "Occasionally, if they are out of the ordinary." She took a swift breath and made the plunge. "Like the Fredl erii k Cavendish case?do you remember that?" Miss La Hue stared at her across the darkening room, hut if she changed color the gloom concealed it and her voice was steady enough. "No." she said shortly, "I never read those things. What happened?" "Oh, nothing much. lie was rich, ' and was found dead in his apartments i at the Waldron?evidently killed by a ' burglar. The ease is probably forgoti ten by this time. Let's speak about something else?I hate to talk shop." Miss La Rue stood up, and shook out t her skirt. "That's what I say; and it seems to > me it would he more social if we had something to drink. You ain't too nice . to partake of n cocktail, are you? Good! Then we'll have one. What's ; I the hotelkeeper's name?" i "Timmons." "I to you suppose he'd come up If I > pounded on the floor?" Miss Donovan slipped off the bed. i "I don't believe lie is in the office. I ' ne went up the street just before dark. I ion lignt the lump while I'll see if I can find the Chinaman out In the hall." She closed the door behind her, strode noisily down the hall, then sli lently and swiftly retraced her steps p and stooped silently down to where a . crack yawned in the lower panel. That ; same Instant a match flared within the room and was applied to the wick of the lamp. The narrow opening gave only a glimpse of half the room?the I wash-stand, ihe chair, and lower part of the hod. She saw Miss La Rue drop k the match, then open her valise and go through it, swiftly. She found I nothing, and turned to the wash-stand . drawer. The latter was empty, and P was instantly closed again, the girl staring about the room, as though at . her wit's end. Suddenly she dlsap> peared nhmg the edge of the bed, beyond the radius of the crack In the , door. What was it she was doing! > Searching the bed, no doubt; seeking . something hidden beneath the pillow, i or mattress. Whatever her purpose, she was gone scarcely a moment, elidine sllentiw . n ?-< back to the chair beside the window, t witli watchful eves ap;ain fixed on the [ closed door. Miss Donovan smiled and straightened up, well satisfied with > her ruse. !i had served to demonstrate i that the ex-chorus girl was far from - being as calmly Indifferent as she had i assumed and it had made equally evl' dent the fact that her visit had an ob > ject ? th<? <1:covery of why Miss I)ono1 van was in llaskell. Doubtless she 1 had made the call at Enright's suggestion. Very well, the lady was quite welcome to all the information ob1 taiiied. .dteila opened the door and the r' eyes of the two met. ( To be continued) - I:C J c. 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